Played April 18. Everyone says this is "the best muni course they've ever played" and right now you can see where it gets that title. It's been a long wet winter but the course is now dried out...with carts allowed everywhere except in a couple of low spots. The greens are firm but smooth for Poa Annua. They needed mowing the day I played so they were a little slow. Not very many golfers out in the morning, so pace was good (except of course for "waggle-master" in the group in front of us). As this course has aged and the redwood trees have matured you have to keep the ball in your own fairway, which I didn't do a very good job of that day. Go under; you can't go over anymore, but you can bank it off a redwood trunk and get a pretty reliable bounce:-). Super friendly staff and a great restaurant/sports bar.

Played on March 18. Really loved the course. It's very scenic; right up against the Superstition mountains and it plays back and forth across a "dinosaur back" ridge. Lots of elevation changes, and dog legs that tempt you to cut off. Some sloping fairways that require playing to the high side or you'll roll off into the unplayable desert. Staff and drink cart girl were all great. I could do without the photographer on the first tee. It's a must play if you're in Phoenix for a golf vacation.

Played March 14. Very scenic course, a lot of elevation changes...most of the par 3's are a two club drop. Fairways are pretty narrow for the most part, with some blind shots that probably cost me a couple of strokes (I'll know better next time). You're either on the grass or you're unplayable in the desert. Look at the slope and rating when choosing your tee...the whites play really short, the blues are more like regular men's. Greens are pretty firm and smooth, but a little slow especially against the grain (aren't they all?). Staff was nice. The starter explained everything in great detail, like we'd never golfed, ever, but I guess he's supposed to. GPS carts would really help with the blind shots...my skycaddie wasn't all that helpful. The starter said in lieu of GPS carts just read the tips on the card..."down the middle with a slight draw" was the most common tip...yeah that helps;-P. Pace of play was ok except there's a stretch of reachable par 5, par 3, driveable par 4, par 3, that really locks everyone up, so relax and enjoy the views.

Played on March 13; the course was in perfect shape. Stayed at the Hilton next to the course. They put your name on the cart, or at least the name on the reservation, so it was a nice personal touch, except being called by my wife's name was a little odd:-p. Staff was a little stand off-ish, and the starter a little crusty. A good course overall, nothing super memorable. There are a couple of holes that are adjacent to busy roads that are reachable with a double cross hook, but otherwise about half and half desert and some homes. Coming from swampy Northern CA I had to get used to landing everything short and rolling. Like most of the AZ desert courses, if you hit it outside the cut rough area, the desert is pretty much unplayable...so don't hit it there, ha! Traps were a little inconsistant...hard sometimes and fluffy sometimes. Played this as the first of a four course swing and it was a good warm-up to learn desert golf, but for the money there are better courses around. The cart girl was friendly and frequently available but stay away from the "Pointe In Thyme" restaurant after your round...it's bad expensive food.

I play Windsor a lot because it generally has good greens and has a great variety of hole layouts. I was disappointed with course conditions today (March 8) however. We've had a rainy period here, and its not unusual to play in Northern Cal. with sloppy fairways etc. But we had two good dry days when they could have gotten out and mowed. The greens on the front were so furry and bumpy with poa annua seed heads sticking up that putting was a joke. I three putted the first four holes, including for par on a par 5. They apparently got around to doing maintenance because the back had been mowed and was very playable, and I shot even par. I just think if they're not going to do maintenance or if its too wet to mow, then discount the green fees so we can maintain the "muni" atmosphere and feel like we get what we pay for.

Played Dec. 29. The course is in good shape, greens are smooth and cut fast. The greens are a little soft so spike marks make it tough around the cup. The rough is full of bad lies because the grass is sparse there, but I guess if you don't like it, don't hit it there. This course is pretty easy with a 110 slope for the white tees. I found a $32 weekday special on their website. The clubhouse staff are great and work to get everyone out as soon as they can, but the starter is a little moody and thinks he's in charge I guess.

This course is in great shape right now. The dry fall weather has kept the fairways running fast so its playing a little shorter than normal. The renovation finished last year has taken hold and so the greens are in great shape and the traps are full of sand and are playable. The greens are a little bouncy but putt true. I got an online coupon for a weekday round with a cart for $39. Not many playing on Friday.

Played Nov. 26. This is a good challanging course with a lot of variety in hole design, including forced carries, layup holes, long and short, doglegs, water, and hills. They overhauled the sand traps last year and they're much more playable now. Like most courses watered with recycled water they tend to overwater and it plays soft all year. Winter play tends to be sloppy. Greens are always good and smooth (but smallish) with a lot of break and several with tiers.

Played Friday November 21. This course usually has smooth fast undulating greens, but for some reason they decided to sand the greens today. So the greens were almost unputtable. Otherwise its a fun course, with a lot of short par 4's, but enough hazard trouble to keep you from just bombing every shot. Nice staff and clubhouse/food service etc. One of these days they'll reverse the 9's and it'll make a much better course. The afternoon winds blow 20-30 against the last 3 holes making it frustrating. #16 is a long par 4 with a hazard requiring a 240 yard carry against the wind. Most of us humans have to lay up so the second shot is another 200 against the wind. Its next to the airport so you have to get used to the constant drone of planes taking off over your head.

One of five golf courses in the Graegle area, Plumas Pines is one of the nicest; being very scenic and is generally narrow and tree lined, with water on several holes. There's also a hilly part and a flat part so it has a little of everything. Fees are about $90 with cart. I almost always try to do too much and end up with a couple of big numbers...accuracy is more important than distance. There's a par three with a big pine tree practically in front of the green. The "Longboards" restaurant and bar are nice. The elevation is about 5000 feet so shots will generally carry about 10 yds longer. The driving range hits off of a steep hill so there's no way to get your range dialed in before you play. If you're going to the Graeagle are be sure to include Plumas in your rota.

I played this course last year; the weekend after Labor Day. Formerly called The Dragon, it was so difficult and expensive that nobody ever played it twice, so they lost money. Now its a little tiny bit easier (they took a couple trees out and removed some sandtraps), and it was only $70 instead of $140. Course conditions weren't all that great, with some dry area and inconsistant aprons, that sometimes grabbed the ball and other times released. Despite the removal of some hazards it's still very difficult, especially if you don't know the course. Follow the tip sheet they provide. There's a lot of holes that require two 5 irons to avoid hitting off of steep downslopes, and there are hidden hazards that my Sky Caddie didn't warn me about. Its very scenic and well worth playing. Don't go for the hero shot...minimize the damage instead. Be sure to play the tees recommended for your handicap or it'll make for a very long day. The greens were in very smooth and very fast with lots of slope.

Played this again 7/18 for the first time in two years because they recently replaced the poa annua greens with bent grass. The front nine greens only began play a few days ago so they were shaggy and firm, and the seams between rolls of sod were still visible and often caused putts to veer off line. I eventually got used to the pace though, but once I started the back nine (new in Feb.), I found really good. fast, firm and true greens for two holes before a grounds keeper came out and started watering down the greens in front of me, so next it was firm wet/slow greens. This course is on the coast so the wind comes up in the afternoon, but its a moist wind and the temp doesn't go over 62F, so it isn't like they're going to dry out. The traps were great, full of coarse consistant sand that was playable even when wet. Otherwise the fairways and all is well maintained. The deep rough is impossible, so don't go there. I look forward to playing this course again when the greens mature a little. The fees aren't too bad and probably worth the great ocean views on nearly every hole.